Dear Friends, 

We have now had the very disappointing news that the Inspector has made the decision to allow the Appeal by Queens’ to build on Owlstone Croft. – 

https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?CaseID=3323130&CoID=0

This is a very sad day for Paradise and the environment, an appalling decision which will cause irreparable harm to the reserve. 

Thank you to all who have given unstinting support and generous donations to the campaign. We did our absolute best , and we do not regret fighting to protect Paradise. 

The College now has the right to go ahead with the development, but it is still the wrong thing to do and rides roughshod over the environment, the school and our community – and they can still choose to respond to all the concerns raised.

The Cambridge Independent is covering the story, and it will be really good if you can let them have your views – it need only be brief!

letters@iliffemedia.co.uk

With very  best wishes,
Pam. 

As you may know, the Planning Inspector has ruled that Queens’ College can go ahead with building plans adjacent to Paradise Nature Reserve. This despite a well-organised (and generously financed by many of you) campaign that included legal and environmental experts making presentations to the Public Inquiry. Thank you to all who supported the campaign.

The letters below have been sent to the Cambridge Independent, and we hope that it will be published in next week’s edition. We would encourage everyone to follow this lead and write to the local newspapers and to Queens’ College to register your views on this decision. The Bursar’s secretary’s email is: bursec@queens.cam.ac.uk

If you know any Fellow or donors to Queens’, please copy your letters to them. Thank you.

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Dear Editor,

It is a sad day for Paradise Nature Reserve, and for the community, the city and the environment, knowing that irrevocable damage will now be done to this unique natural asset. It is shocking that this wild wet woodland should be exploited and so casually harmed by this development.

The Appeal was granted despite the Planning Committee reasserting their grounds for refusal of the application and stating that no amount of mitigation over light, noise, pollution and loss of habitat would protect against harm.

It was granted despite widespread opposition from the community, wildlife groups and all who love and care for this beautiful wild place.

This decision makes a travesty of the City Council’s policies, which are there to protect nature and the environment.

Trees will now be felled, protected species endangered, children’s health put at risk and the peace of the neighbourhood will be shattered. 

I urge all who love Paradise, and all who have never walked there, to walk along the boardwalk before the views and landscape are dominated by massed high buildings, and the tranquillity is gone forever. 

Go NOW, while the trees are still in their autumn glory. The bats have mated and are now hibernating. When they return in spring with their young, their flight and forage path over the poplars will be gone, and their habitat changed. Soon the bats will also be gone, along with the nesting birds. 

As our patron Sir Partha Dasgupta said, priceless natural assets are continually being sacrificed for their perceived short-term gain. Soon Cambridge will have many fewer green spaces and Paradise is the only wild one. 

It will now be irreparably harmed by a  wealthy College — it is arrogant and untrue to claim that this massive development in such close proximity will benefit and enhance the Reserve. 

Queens’ College has not respected the environment or the community in their determination to exploit the reserve to enhance their development. 

We are, and surely future generations will be, aghast at such folly. 

Pam Gatrell

Chair of Friends of Paradise. 

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Dear Editor,

Well, after thousands signed a petition, 200 people wrote in protest and 80 people attended the initial hearing, the City Council unanimously rejected Queens’ College’s proposal to build 3-storey student accommodation right up to the edge of Paradise Nature Reserve.  However, Queens’ appealed this decision and after an 8 day hearing, the independent Inspector has overruled the City Council and allowed the appeal.

In order to make it remotely acceptable, the Inspector laid down 35 Conditions, including lighting, noise, traffic access, traffic timing, privacy for the primary school, protection of school children from dust, flooding risk, run-off and contamination, trees, ecology, and protection of habitat for bats and other wildlife.  This illustrates graphically what a sensitive site it is and how totally unsuitable this major development would be.

However, this “victory” also illustrates what you can achieve if you have bottomless pockets and a complete disregard for local democracy, your neighbours, the environment (and also your reputation). Opposition continues and it is not too late for Queens’ to salvage their reputation by withdrawing from this plan.

Olwen Williams, local resident

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Please see below the final submission to the Public Inquiry on behalf of the Friends:

Officers and committee:

All agreed to continue in office. 

Treasurer’s report:

Jean Bevan presented and explained the report of the financial year with donations and payments, and the balance in the Metro Bank . 

Chair’s Annual Report: 

This has been a momentous year, culminating in the two-week Planning Inquiry, but there have been many positive aspects to the year in Paradise Nature Reserve . 

Last October we had the film of the ‘Chalk Stream’, with an accompanying talk by Bruce Huett of the Melbourne Nature Reserve. It was a beautiful and uplifting film, and restored our faith in working together to protect our environment. 

In December the ‘Fairy Doors Trail’ in the tree glade was enjoyed by many through till February. Thanks to Stella and David Tranah for this annual delight. 

In January, the City Council Planning Committee voted unanimously to reject the proposal by Queens’ College to build on Owlstone Croft. This was cause for a cautious but temporary celebration, as we thought that Queens ’ would appeal this decision, and they did. We can only hope now that the good grounds given then for refusal, which the Planning Committee still stand by, will once again prevail and will convince the Inspector. 

In February, the publication of the book ‘Nature in Cambridge’ was explored in engaging detail by one of the contributors, Duncan Mackay, emphasising the huge biodiversity within Cambridge and our nature reserves.

The snowdrops, decimated by silt-dredging in 2017, have since been divided and replanted annually by work parties led by Olwen Williams, Vic Smith (our city Reserve Officer), and volunteers from the Friends. This year the snowdrops were widespread and beautiful in February and March. 

We had a fascinating and exuberant talk In March by Steve Allain (another contributor to ‘Nature in Cambridge’) on ‘Amphibians in Cambridge’, and a promise to carry out a survey of amphibians in Paradise. 

In June, Andrew Bryce, environmental lawyer, birder and photographer, gave us a wonderful photographic evening of the birds to be seen in Paradise and in the city, with special attention given to the success of the peregrine falcons on King’s Parade.

Also in June we had two tours to boost campaign funds. One was ‘Art in Paradise’, given by artist Tess Recordan , opening our eyes to the wider horizon, and the other a Newnham walk by City Blue Guide Sandie Mercer, which culminated in Paradise, with its important history of biodiversity. Thanks to Tess and Sandie for these very interesting, absorbing and successful tours.

We hosted two other talks, one ‘The Other Birds of Paradise’ from our ecologist Olwen Williams, and the other about the medieval burial ground on Barton Road from archaeologist Katie Howarth, both of which were extremely popular. Thanks to Olwen and Katie for these completely riveting talks with a wider historical and geographical scope. 

In July the summer picnic was idyllic, accompanied by the Newnham Saxophone Quartet. The lively music was greatly enjoyed by both the picnickers and the Sheep’s Green cows who lined up to listen. Thanks to David and the Quartet for playing so brilliantly . 

In August the ‘Mini Bioblitz’ was held in beautiful weather in Paradise, and included a bat walk with bat expert Kit Stoner, moth traps with Ben Grieg and Vic Smith, and bug, amphibian, flower and tree-identification walks with Paul Rule and other experts. It was great to have children joining in so enthusiastically. The results show that Paradise truly is a biodiversity hotspot. 

During the year, committee member Simon Coe works regularly with Vic Smith in her Reserve work parties, and he also does extra regular maintenance work in Paradise, especially on the boardwalk, cutting back nettles, sweeping autumn leaves and clearing fallen branches. Many Friends, especially Olwen and Anita, litter-pick and are vigilant about all the wildlife. Thank you to everyone who cares for the Reserve in this practical and important way. 

In October the Public Inquiry was held in the Guildhall, and at the end our fundraising campaign culminated in a Charity Night with the Sugarbeat band, organised by Stefano Pozzi, which raised over £500. Our grateful thanks to the band, to Stefano, to the Social club and to all who came in support. 

Our campaign team was strong, and special thanks to Jean Glasberg, the leader; Andrew Bryce, our environmental lawyer and expert witness; Olwen Williams, our ecologist; Jean Bevan, for dedicated research; Janine Tolliday for designer skills; Lynn Hieatt for technology expertise; and Sandie Mercer for all the publicity. 

We now wait for the Inspector’s decision. But whichever way it goes, we know that everyone has done their absolute best, and we thank the Friends and the community, and everyone who has supported us and donated so generously. We remain committed to caring for and protecting Paradise, now and for the future, to the best of our ability. 

AOB 

Thanks to David Williams for masterminding the production and sales of our greetings cards, which are beautiful and a hugely successful fundraiser. For the first time there have been buoyant seasonal sales throughout the year, and Ruth Lambert has also sold cards at Social Club events. David reported on this at the AGM, and on progress for the 2023/24 cards. It was suggested that we add a Calendar this year, and a vote taken was in favour. Thanks were given to the team who prepare and sell the cards, which, as well as generating a lot of income, raise the positive profile of Paradise and its biodiversity within the community and beyond. 

Pam Gatrell, Chair

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Sugarbeat is now being joined by great local indy band Karalinga for a top night of music and fun on the last day of the Owlstone Development Public Inquiry. See poster below — get your tickets NOW before they sell out! Here’s a quick link:

https://tinyurl.com/2y4hd246

The beautiful seasonal greetings cards that have delighted people for several years will again be on sale well in time for the lead-up to the Christmas period. A sample card below. It’s never too early to stock up on these. Come to the Autumn Faire at St Mark’s Church on Barton Road on Saturday 23 September, 10am – 12 noon.